Bøger udgivet af Leuven University Press

"We live in a reflective age." That is Soren Kierkegaard's overall conclusion when evaluating the time he lives in. But his appraisal contains both approval and criticism. On the one hand reflection is a necessary category to deal with the dynamics and the qualities of the modern age, on the other hand it bears a great danger. It is Kierkegaard's firm conviction that reflection should always relate to a kind of immediacy that safeguards it from becoming hollow and detached from our existential reality. Throughout the voluminous and complex work of Kierkegaard, the notions of 'immediacy' and 'reflection' play a crucial role. They appear in such an early work as From the Papers of One Still Living as well as in the late Anti-Climacus writings, and indeed their significance or influence can be felt in all philosophical texts published in between. That is not to say that the meaning of the notions is unequivocal. After all, Kierkegaard not only uses the terms in very divergent contexts, but his own understanding of them appears to evolve quite strongly in the course of his oeuvre. Moreover, in spite of their clearly philosophical character, the two notions play an unmistakable role in Kierkegaard's understanding of religion. They appear frequently in the religious discourses indeed. In short, Kierkegaard's use of the notions of 'immediacy' and 'reflection' covers a broad array of meanings and interpretations. The dialectics of immediacy and reflection, of reflection killing immediacy and raising the question of the possibility of a new immediacy is the main theme of Immediacy and Reflection in Kierkegaard's Thought. The book contains contributions authored by a number of well known Kierkegaard scholars. Kierkegaard's theory of the 'existence spheres of life' provides a first viewpoint on the interplay of immediacy and reflection. Here the philosophical and pseudonymous writings are the main subject of research. If on the other hand one pays a closer look at the significance of a 'second immediacy' for a religious attitude to life, The religious discourses come into play when the possibility of a 'second immediacy' is taken into consideration. In conclusion the theme of immediacy and reflection is connected to some important trends in the modern and contemporary era. On the one hand it is linked to the philosophical influences Kierkegaard underwent (e.g. from Hegel); on the other hand Kierkegaard is confronted with later thinkers (Heidegger in particular).

This first volume of the new series Egyptian Prehistory Monographs is an analytical bibliography. It contains 7407 references, covering the Egyptian prehistory (palaeolithic, neolithic and predynastic) as well as the period of the first two dynasties. A thematic index, containing 42 topics, allows fast access to the study of all major subjects for the period under consideration. Among these are: architecture, chronology, excavation reports, fauna, flora, geology, decorated palettes, pottery, religion, rock-art and early writing.A detailed topographical index refers to 593 sites, which are located on 10 newly drawn maps. All sites located within the present Egyptian territory are included, as well as sites in southern Palestine which were in contact with Egypt during late predynastic to early dynastic times. As for the Sudan, all sites are included up to the latitude of Khartoum. This volume is of fundamental importance for all those interested in both the prehistory of north-eastern Africa and the origin and early development of the Egyptian culture.

Ibn Sina, known in the West as Avicenna, may be considered to be a major figure of the history of Arabo-Islamic philosophy, medicine and science. His influence was substantial and enduring, not only in the Islamic world, but also in medieval Christian-Latin and Jewish circles. This volume includes contributions of eminent scholars in very different fields of Avicenna's thought and influence.New insights are offered inter alia on the different ways of reception of his philosophy in the Islamic East or, more specifically, in Isma'ili thought, or in the great Shi'ite Iranian thinker, i.e., Mullah Sadra; on a recently--thus far unknown--treatise on ethics; on the phenomenon of pseudepigraphica related to Avicenna; on several innovative ideas in Avicenna's logic, physics, metaphysics and zoology; on the difficult issue of hendyades in the Avicenna Latinus; on Albert the Great's probable knowledge of Avicenna's Preface to the latter's opus magnum; on William of Auvergne's and Duns Scotus' critical use of Avicennian ideas in several aspects of their philosophy; on the significance of Avicenna for such particular doctrines as that of relation in Henry of Ghent or of evil in Thomas of Aquinas; on Avicenna's direct or indirect influence on medieval Jewish philosophy, and, more particularly, on Maimonides; on the place of Avicenna's medical thought in the Arabo-Islamic tradition and on the way it was dealt with in medieval Europe. Herewith, a serious basis is laid for a better understanding of Avicenna's thought and its spread.

In the history of medieval philosophy and theology, Henry of Ghent ( 1293) occupies a prominent place. On the one hand, he is a critical reader of Thomas Aquinas, whose Aristotelianism he attempts to adjust by means of his so-called Augustinian Avicennianism; on the other hand, Henry can be considered a precursor of fourteenth-century thinkers, such as Duns Scotus and Ockham.The papers collected in the volume, Henry of Ghent and the Transformation of Scholastic Thought, throw light on the particular renewal of the theological and philosophical tradition which Henry brought about and elucidate various aspects of his metaphysics and epistemology (e.g., truth, divine ideas, relation, certitude and wisdom), ethics (e.g., prudence, freedom, the role of the clergy), and theology (e.g., Trinity, creation, absolute and ordained power). The volume is completed with a comprehensive bibliography on Henry.

This Avicenna bibliography, the result of twenty years of research, seeks to continue the work begun in this domain by G.C. Anawati. New times produce new possibilities, and indeed, with the advent of the computer and inter-library networking, a renewed approach becomes not only a possibility but also a necessity.In this bibliography, more extensive and systematic attention is paid to non-Western publications, especially Arabian, persian, Turkish and Russian. Of special interest is the inclusion of a number of Indian publications. The publications are ordered according to a consistent thematic division, with cross-references being provided where necessary. Separate chapters are dedicated to the scientific and medical contributions, while the philosophical works are treated in ten chapters.In all instances an introduction is provided which attempts to outline both the mediaeval context of Avicenna's thought and the actual form of his thinking. Special attention is paid to biographical and bibliographical studies, as well as to the 'Millenium' of publications that resulted from the Unesco sponsored 1980 memorial oth the millenium of Avicenna's birth. Finally, and in fact most importantly, an overvieuw is given of the numerous editions or translations of Avicenna's work, which are identified according to the numbering of the classic bibliographies of G. C. Anawati and M. Mahdavi. Almost all publications are annotated with a summary presentation of their most original points and a short critical evaluation.The text thus serves as a first orientation for the reader into the richness of Avicenna's legacy. In sum, this bibliography aims at providing a clear, concise and comprehensive presentation of the material, and is thus an indispensible work-instrument for all future Avicenna research.

Sagalassos, once the metropolis of the Western Taurus range (Pisidia, Turkey), was only thoroughly surveyed in 1884 and 1885 by an Austrian team directed by K. Lanckoronski. In 1986-1989 this work was resumed by a British-Belgian team co-directed by Dr. Stephen Mitchell (University College of Swansea) and by Prof. Dr. Marc Waelkens (Catholic University of Leuven). In 1990 Sagalassos became a full scale Belgian project and a leading center for interdisciplinary archaeological and archaeometrical research.Due to its altitude, the site is one of the best preserved towns from classical antiquity, with a rich architectural and sculptural tradition dating from the second century BC to the sixth century AD. From early Imperial times until the early Byzantine period a complete range of coarse and red slip wares was produced locally. Excavations are concentrated on the upper and lower agoras to document the political and commercial life in the town and also in the area where a late Hellenistic fountain house, which still functions to date, and a Roman library were discovered. Major efforts are undertaken to restore the excavated monuments in their old glory. Several disciplines integrate the town again within its ancient environment and document the central role which Sagalassos played in the area.

Sagalassos, once the metropolis of the Western Taurus range (Pisidia, Turkey), was only thoroughly surveyed in 1884 and 1885 by an Austrian team directed by K. Lanckoronski. In 1986-1989 this work was resumed by a British-Belgian team co-directed by Dr. Stephen Mitchell (University College of Swansea) and by Prof. Dr. Marc Waelkens (Catholic University of Leuven). In 1990 Sagalassos became a full scale Belgian project and a leading center for interdisciplinary archaeological and archaeometrical research.Due to its altitude, the site is one of the best preserved towns from classical antiquity, with a rich architectural and sculptural tradition dating from the second century BC to the sixth century AD. From early Imperial times until the early Byzantine period a complete range of coarse and red slip wares was produced locally. Excavations are concentrated on the upper and lower agoras to document the political and commercial life in the town and also in the area where a late Hellenistic fountain house, which still functions to date, and a Roman library were discovered. Major efforts are undertaken to restore the excavated monuments in their old glory. Several disciplines integrate the town again within its ancient environment and document the central role which Sagalassos played in the area.

Mediaevalia Lovaniensia 39Communication leads to an evolution of knowledge, and the free exchange of knowledge leads to fresh findings. In the Middle Ages things were no different. The inheritance of ancient knowledge deeply influenced medieval thought. The writings of ancient Greek philosophers such as Aristotle reached medieval readers primarily through translations. Translators made an interpretation of the source-text, and their translations became the subject of commentaries. An understanding of the complex web of relations among source-texts, translations, and commentaries reveals how scientific thinking evolved during the Middle Ages. Aristotle's Problemata, a text provoking various questions about scientific and everyday topics, amply illustrates the communication of ideas during the transition between antiquity and the Renaissance.

The particular focus of this volume is a study of the influence of Timaeus on the development of Western cosmology in three axial periods of European culture: Late Antiquity, Middle Ages and Renaissance. In each period, the Timaeus was read in a different context and from different perspectives. During the Middle Ages, scholars were mostly interested in reconciling the rational cosmology of the Timaeus with the Christian understanding of creation.In Late Antiquity, the concordance of Plato with Aristotle was considered the most important issue, whereas in early modern times, the confrontation with the new mathematical physics offered possibilities for a fresh assessment of Plato's explanation of the cosmos. The present volume has three sections corresponding to these three periods of interpreting the Timaeus, each section is introduced by a synthesis of the main issues at discussion. This 'epochal' approach gives this volume its particular character.

Sagalassos, once the metropolis of the Western Taurus range (Pisidia, Turkey), was only thoroughly surveyed in 1884 and 1885 by an Austrian team directed by K. Lanckoronski. In 1986-1989 this work was resumed by a British-Belgian team co-directed by Dr. Stephen Mitchell (University College of Swansea) and by Prof. Dr. Marc Waelkens (Catholic University of Leuven). In 1990 Sagalassos became a full scale Belgian project and a leading center for interdisciplinary archaeological and archaeometrical research.Due to its altitude, the site is one of the best preserved towns from classical antiquity, with a rich architectural and sculptural tradition dating from the second century BC to the sixth century AD. From early Imperial times until the early Byzantine period a complete range of coarse and red slip wares was produced locally. Excavations are concentrated on the upper and lower agoras to document the political and commercial life in the town and also in the area where a late Hellenistic fountain house, which still functions to date, and a Roman library were discovered. Major efforts are undertaken to restore the excavated monuments in their old glory. Several disciplines integrate the town again within its ancient environment and document the central role which Sagalassos played in the area.

Speech, swallowing, and respiration are vital functions of the cervical aerodigestive tract. In case of a major defect in this area, flap reconstruction is frequently necessary to preserve maximal postsurgical function.This is the first work devoted exclusively to the reconstruction of the cervical aerodigestive tract. In this lavishly illustrated atlas, flap reconstruction of the larynx, trachea, hypopharynx, and cervical esophagus is covered. It provides step-by-step details of the technique leading to functional repair and improved quality of life.

Based on the analysis of more than 35,000 company balance sheets, annual series of gross private investment have been constructed for 15 different sectors in Belgium between 1900 and 1995. The resulting data clearly show that the level of gross investment in the Belgian economy, expressed as a percentage of national income, was generally much lower than during the post world war two period. An international comparison demonstrates that Belgium usually invested far less than its major competitors. Moreover, the traditional coal and metal industries benefitted most of the investment effort instead of newer sectors like the chemical industry. Thus the present study contributes to explaining for the relatively poor growth performances of the Belgian economy prior to the 1960s.

The struggle for a Dutch-language university in Leuven not only brought an end to the era of a bilingual, unitary university. In 1968 a regime of authoritarian priests and status-conscious professors was also dispatched for ever. In the euphoria of its new-found autonomy the University opted for forward flight: in a reaction against the forces of conservatism it presented itself as a young, dynamic institution, populated by career professors and students who were set to storm the barricades of traditionalism.This book tells a story of contestation, but also of professionalization, of ever more specialized scholarship and its research triumphs, of unflagging engagement with rigorous academic goals and international horizons. It is the story of an ambitious enterprise.

Figures of the Unconscious 7In Origins and Ends of the Mind, a collection of theoretical essays by philosophers and psychoanalysts, encounters are arranged between Freudian and Lacanian psychoanalysis on the one hand and attachment theory, evolutionary psychology, and philosophy of mind on the other. Psychoanalysts claim that states of mind are inexorably structured by children's relationships with their parents. But the theory of attachment, evolutionary psychology, and contemporary philosophy of mind have all recently reintroduced the claim that mental development and pathology are to a large degree determined by innate factors. Today, Lacanian psychoanalysis most vigorously defends psychoanalytic theory and practice from the encroachment of the biomedical and cognitive sciences. However, classical psychoanalytic theories--the Oedipus complex, primary and secondary repression, sexual difference, and the role of symbols--are being dismantled and reintegrated into a new synthesis of biological and psychological theories.

Ancient and Medieval Philosophy, Series 2, No. 20The sixteen questions in Henry of Ghent's Quodlibet XV treat a range of issues--the immaculate conception, the omnipotence of God, the nature of an "instance," the absolute and ordained powers of the pope, and the nature of a just war. The text found in this book was reconstructed based on manuscripts copied from a first Parisian university exemplar, manuscripts whose model was probably a second Parisian university exemplar, and a manuscript that was in the possession of Godfrey of Fontaines.

Studia Anthropologica 12The Japanese word bashofu literally means "banana-fiber cloth." Both the cloth and the clothing made from it are now considered important constituents of Okinawan identity. The Japanese Folk Craft Movement in the 1930s brought attention to this special trait of Okinawan material culture. After years of decline following World War II, the weaving and use of bashofu saw a revival that accelerated after the return of Okinawa to Japan in 1972 and still continues. Although today bashofu receives considerable attention because of its status since 1974 as one of Japan's important intangible cultural properties, its origins and history had remained hidden. In this book Katrien Hendrickx searches for the origins of bashofu in the Ryukyus, including the origins of ito basho, the plant that provides the raw material, and studies the yarn-making methods and weaving techniques. She also focuses on why and how the Ryukyuan people adopted those techniques and introduced them into their own society. By careful analysis of all available sources, considered from viewpoints from fields as various as pure history, phytohistory, philology, ethnography, and folklore, Hendrickx convincingly proves that bashofu was introduced in the Ryukyus from Southern China, and not from Southeast Asia as is commonly argued. Her overview of present-day bashofu-weaving and its use also provides valuable insights into the situation of folk-craft within Okinawan society during the second half of the twentieth century and up to the present day.

This collection of essays is the outcome of an international symposium, jointly organised by the International Research Center for Japanese Studies, Kyoto, and the Section of Japanese Studies of the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven in October 1998. It was the second in a series of three international symposia that the International Resaerch Center for Japanese Studies organised in Europe in conjunction with a European partner.The Leuven Symposium, which went under the general title of Translations of Culture, Culture of Translation, actually consisted of two parallel sessions. The first one was a workshop on Gender and Modernity in Japan. The second one was devoted to a reflection on Translation and Adaptation in the Formulation of Modern Episteme: A Reappraisal of Dodoens. The essays in the present volume are the reworked and elaborated versions of the presentations made at the latter symposium.It was clear that many of the issues one had to tackle had to do with translation, and that translation was not a phenomenon limited to Japan, but equally prominent in European cultural history, nor limited to texts as such, but involving broader cultural contexts as well. The result was an investigation of Dodoens's (Dodonaeus) importance in Europe as well as in Japan through the prism of translation, transposition adaptation etc., defined as a moving force in cultural and social development and an indispensable lubricant in the process of functional differentiation. The main concern was evidently Japan, but the organisers deliberately opted for a perspective that kept a certain distance from boundaries. Therefore experts in the field of Western herbals and botany were confronted with historians of early modern Japan.

This book bundles the papers of the Fortis Bank Chair lectures 2001-2003 on two major sectors of the economy in the European Union. The first series of lectures is devoted to financial services and financial markets in transition. The subjects dealt with in the papers include the relationship between the freedoms in the EC treaty and private international law, financial regulation and supervision of banks, the international insurance market and the Euro in the new member states. The second part focuses on interesting developments in European transport policy: rail, maritime and multimodal transport and air transport. It is complemented by a paper on tax law as an instrument to integrate environment and energy considerations in EC transport policy.